More Precious Than Rubies: My Memories of One of Edinburgh’s Great Jewels, Katie Anne Goodwin
Kathreen (Katie) Anne Goodwin 12 November 1937 – 4 November 2024
Professor Joe Goldblatt
Three distinguished Edinburgh ladies and myself sat down for tea in the Balmoral Hotel’s luxurious Palm Court cafe. After exchanging a few personal stories we got down to business. I had invited them to tea to encourage their financial support for a tribute plaque that would be displayed in the Usher Hall commemorating the founding of the Edinburgh International Festival by two Jewish artists.
Two of the ladies asked a myriad of questions regarding the size of the plaque, its location, whether their name would be included, and other detailed queries. They appeared sceptical and then the third lady simply opened her hand bag, withdrew her check book, and wrote a check whilst saying, “Great idea. Good luck!” That lady, who as the Book of Proverbs recorded was more precious than rubies and was the indomitable, generous, and formidable Kathreen Anne Goodwin (known to all as Katie) who following a long and good life sadly died on 4 November 2024 at 86 in the Western General Hospital.
Her death was sudden and unexpected which actually mirrored her remarkable life. Throughout her life Katie regularly, rapidly, and unexpectedly came to the aid of friends, family, and charities to help improve the world. In her faith of Judaism this is known as tikkun olam that means to ‘repair the world’. The Jewish people believe that the world is broken and requires generous people to help repair it each day. Kate was a master handywoman in that her hardworking hands touched so many lives in positive ways for so long.
One of her major charitable endeavours was the largest social welfare organisation in Israel known as WIZO. Katie was a long time donor to this organisation and as a result of her activism WIZO has annually helped over thousands of Jewish, Christian, Muslim and other women deal with the day to day trauma of living with domestic abuse in the Middle East. This 100 year old organisation was one of her many passions in addition to her beloved family.
The Goodwin family are well kent faces in the business community of Edinburgh due to the establishment of Goodwins Fine Jewelry and Silver by Katie’s late husband Ronald. Ronald succeeded his father in running the business in 1957. Her beloved Ronnie sadly died in 2023. The nearly eighty year old firm is now directed by Katie’s sons Ben and Joe.
For many years Katie helped organise a weekly luncheon club for older folk at Edinburgh’s oldest synagogue. Week after week Katie would join others in feeding those in need of a meal and lending an ear to help improve their social life. According to her friend and fellow lunch club volunteer Harriet Lyall, “Katie’s life – enhancing presence brought conviviality, wisdom, and hospitality to all the lives she touched.”
Long time friend Janet Miller, who with her husband founded Charlie Miller hairdressing salons, also remembers Katie’s seemingly boundless friendship and generosity. Janet shared that “I loved her no fuss, just get on with it attitude and her unstoppable energy. She will be greatly missed.”
Katie’s positive attitude and thoughtfulness are now passed onto her children of whom she was so proud and they include Sara, Ben, and Joe and her beloved grandchildren Molly, Poppie, Louis, Imogen and Isaac.
The last time I sat next to Katie was at a reading being given by her daughter who is a best selling author. As her daughter read, Katie sat inconspicuously in the back row, beaming with pride and then tapped my knee, nodded her head and quietly whispered “Wonderful.” I looked into her bright eyes that were filled with motherly love and pride.
Then I was reminded of that time long ago when only one of three distinguished women immediately and unconditionally opened her hand bag to help repair the world. Indeed, Edinburgh, Scotland, the Middle East, and the entire world was greatly enriched in so many ways by this remarkable woman whose love for others made the world a much better place for all.
Professor Joe Goldblatt is Emeritus Professor of Planned Events at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. His views are his own. To learn more about his views visit www.joegoldblatt.scot